Yao a yao yao dao waipo qiao (1995)

Director:

Yimou Zhang

Writers:

Bi Feiyu (writer)
Li Xiao (novel)

Release Date:

22 December 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

In 1930's Shanghai violence was not the problem. It was the solution.

Plot:

Uncle Liu brings his cousin to Shanghai to work for 'Boss,' the leader of a powerful drug empire in the 1930's...

Plot Keywords:

Gang War | Shanghai | 1930s | Mistress | Sex

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 4 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Li Gong	...	Xiao Jingbao
Baotian Li	...	Tang, the Gang Boss
Wang Xiaoxiao	...	Shuisheng, the boy
Xuejian Li	...	Liu, 6th Uncle
Chun Sun	...	Song, Tang's No. 2
Biao Fu	...	Zheng, Tang's No.3
Shu Chen	...	Shi Ye
Jiang Liu	...	Fat Yu
Baoying Jiang	...	Cuihua, the Widow
Yang Qianquan	...	Ah Jiao
Ying Gao
Weiming Gao
Lian Shuliang
Wang Ya'nan
Zhang Yayun

Also Known As:

Shanghai Triad

MPAA:

Rated R for some language and images of violence.

Runtime:

103 min | Canada:108 min

Country:

France | China

Language:

Mandarin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | South Korea:18 | Australia:M | Argentina:16 | Chile:18 | Finland:K-14 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Shanghai, China

Company:

Alpha Films

Trivia:

This was a difficult film for Yimou Zhang to make. His relationship with his leading lady Li Gong was coming to an acrimonious end and the Chinese authorities were deliberately hassling him with complicated and elusive work permits. That was mainly because they were still annoyed with him for submitting his previous film Huozhe (1994) to the Cannes Film Festival without their permission.

Quotes:

6th Uncle: The Boss always says, "Women's business is nothing but wind. Men's business, no matter how small, is important."

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

A stunner in every respect

Here's something you don't see every day - a mobster movie that focuses on the evil of criminals, instead of their coolness. "Shanghai Triad" shows you how mob violence destroys the life of a gangster's moll and endangers her innocent, fresh-from-the-country servant. It's exactly the kind of story you wouldn't see in a Hollywood movie - which is, I suppose, why we watch this weird foreign stuff!

Gong Li is, as ever, forceful and compelling, with a role that's infinitely more interesting than what America's "lead" actresses usually get. She's very glamorous here, and totally unlike the peasant characters she played in "To Live" and several other films. What a wonderful, versatile actress.

The film's other strengths include gorgeous, award-winning cinematography, interesting point-of-view shots, and an effective shift from an urban to a country setting that's pulled off very smoothly. It's a shame that this is the last film that director Zhang Yimou and Gong Li made together, but at least it caps off their collaboration on a high note.